AUTOMATED SPINNING APPARATUS AND PROCESS

Abstract: A plant structure having three floors (3, 5, 7) with first and second ring spinning apparatuses (11, 13) located on the first floor and with vertical sliver feed tubes (31, 33) extending from the first and second ring spinning apparatuses respectively to the second floor for feeding a sliver (17, 23) through the sliver feed tube to the first ring spinning apparatus and to the third floor for feeding sliver from a can thereof to said second ring spinning apparatus. Each of the sliver feed tubes is provided with a fitting (41, 43), including a slide section (46) extending at an obtuse angle to the tubes, such that sliver strands descend through the tubes and through the associated fittings before they are fed into associated ring spinning machines.

Description: Automated Spinning Apparatus and Process This application corresponds to U.S. application Serial No. 08/242,411, filed May 13, 1994, which is a continuation-in- part of application Serial No. 08/134,461, filed October 8, 1993 (U.S. Patent No. 5,333,440, issued August 2, 1994) , which is a continuation of application Serial No. 07/934,877, filed August 21, 1992, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the art of textiles and more particularly to a plant structure for the spinning of textile fibers into yarn products. Various plant structures have existed for the production of textile yarns for ultimately weaving or knitting into desired fabric. Traditionally, two techniques of spinning have been utilized, i.e. ring spinning and open-end spinning. An example of open-end spinning is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,939,895 to Raasch, et al . assigned to W. Schlafhorst & Co. of Germany. As described in this particular patent, cans of coiled sliver typically are positioned on the floor adjacent to an open-end spinning apparatus and vertically bent upwardly into the open- end spinning apparatus. An example of an ope -end spinning apparatus is the Autocoro 240 automatic rotor spinning and winding machine produced and sold by . Schlafhorst & Co. In a conventional plant arrangement, a roving frame carrying a plurality of sliver spools is positioned proximate associated ring spinning machines. While plants have effectively operated utilizing this arrangement, the formation of spools and the manual changing of spent spools on the roving frame have been known to consume significant amounts of time. Moreover, roving frames require considerable floor space. Thus, room exists for improvement in the overall plant operations utilizing ring spinning devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of this invention to provide a novel plant arrangement of a ring spinning apparatus which provides improvements over a conventional plant arrangement . It is a further and more particular object of this invention to provide such a novel ring spinning apparatus arrangement wherein the number of such ring spinning apparatuses may be maximized per square foot of the floor maintaining such apparatus. It is a further and more particular object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for feeding a sliver to a ring spinning apparatus. It is a further and yet more particular object of this invention to provide a novel plant structure for housing such ring spinning apparatus. These as well as other objects are accomplished by a plant structure comprising a building structure having first, second and third floors therein, first and second ring spinning apparatuses located adjacent one another on the first floor, a first sliver feed tube on the second floor for directing sliver from a can located on the second floor to the first ring spinning apparatus, and a second sliver feed tube extending from the third floor to the second ring spinning apparatus for directing sliver from a can located on the third floor to the second ring spinning apparatus. Each of the sliver feed tubes has a vertical portion and is provided with a fitting making an obtuse angle with the vertical portion proximate a lower end of the vertical portion such that the sliver travels downwardly through the vertical portion and then through the fitting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates a plant structure in accordance with this invention. Figure 2 of the drawings schematically illustrates the feeding of a ring spinning apparatus in accordance with this invention. Figure 3 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 of the drawings is a side elevation view illustrating a sliver feed tube fitting constructed in accordance with this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with this invention it has been found that a plant housing apparatus for the ring spinning of textile fibers into yarns may be operated with considerably greater efficiency both from the space standpoint and from the man hours standpoint by locating the ring spinning apparatuses on the first floor of an at least three story plant structure and by feeding sliver to the spinning apparatuses alternately from the second and third floors of the plant facility. Sliver feed tubes are provided to appropriately direct the sliver from the second and third stories to adjacent ring spinning apparatuses. Various other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the various figures of drawings. Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates generally a plant structure 1 having a first floor 3, a second floor 5 and a third floor 7. Located on the first floor or ground floor 3 are conventional first and second ring spinning apparatuses 11 and 13. Located on the second floor 5 are a plurality of cans referenced as 15 containing sliver 17 spiralled therein. Sliver 17 is formed by techniques known in the textile art for the cleaning and opening of textile fibers such as cotton. The third floor 7 contains an arrangement similar to the second floor 5 having cans such as 21, also having sliver 23 coiled therein. The arrangement in accordance with this invention of utilizing sliver cans on the second and third floors permit the second and third floors to have very tightly controlled temperature and humidity conditions so as to have a sliver properly conditioned for the ring spinning process. This is achieved by the use of conventional air conditioners 2 located on the second or third floors. There are significant efficiency and energy savings associated with the maintenance of the sliver containers in the second and third floor configuration of this invention. The first floor 3, housing the ring spinning apparatuses 11, 13, is maintained at a different temperature and humidity which is more appropriate for spinning. It has been found to be highly advantageous to separately maintain the sliver at an optimum conditioning temperature while spinning at a different but optimum spinning temperature and humidity. The conventional can is normally at a maximum of twenty inches by forty-eight inches, which does not allow a significant amount of sliver in each can and requires significant and frequent replacement. According to this invention, however, fourteen inch by fifty inch (14"x50") cans 15 can be utilized, thus accommodating more sliver and requiring considerably less frequent changing of the cans 15. Sliver feed tubes 31 and 33 extend respectively from the second floor 5 and the third floor 7 to appropriately direct the sliver toward ring spinning apparatuses 11 and 13. As shown in Figure 1, it is seen that the sliver feed tubes 31, 33 pass through the floor structures of the second and third floors 5 and 7. The sliver feed tubes 31, 33 may be immediately adjacent a sliver can or may terminate just above the appropriate floor structure. Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, which is shown in greater detail with regard to the first floor structure, it is seen that the sliver feed tubes 31, 33 each extend vertically downwardly and are provided with fittings 41 and 43, respectively. Thus, sliver travels through a sliver feed tube and then through a fitting, at which point the sliver is fed directly to the intake of the ring spinning apparatus. Utilizing this construction, no modification of the ring spinning apparatus is required, and it generally still receives the sliver in the same manner that it would receive a sliver if it were fed directly from a spool on a closely proximate roving frame. The sliver feed tube utilized in accordance with this invention is generally a smooth, hollow construction and preferably is made transparent so that the movement of the sliver through the tube may be visually observed. It is critical to this invention to have the sliver descend through the tubes without any breakage. The tube must be of sufficient diameter to permit the sliver to pass down in a snake-like fashion without significant rubbing on the walls of the tube. The tube walls also include an anti-static agent to prevent sticking should contact occur. Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, sliver feed tubes 31 and 33 respectively have sliver 17 and 23 passing therethrough. The interior surface of the sliver feed tubes 31 and 33 should be very smooth so as to not snag sliver passing therethrough. A material possessing the requisite characteristics of smoothness is generally an extruded tubing formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , which is the type of material normally utilized for beverage containers. Figure 4 illustrates a typical sliver tube fitting, for example, fitting 41, in detail. Fitting 41 includes an inlet section 42 which is press fit over the lower end of a sliver feed tube 31 and which extends vertically therefrom, a brake section 44 extending vertically from the inlet section 42, and a slide section 46 extending at an obtuse angle to the brake section 44, and thus to the sliver feed tube 31. A brake 50 is mounted onto the exterior surface of brake section 44 to temporarily halt the descent of a portion of sliver 17 until nip rollers 52 of ring spinning apparatus 13 (Fig. 2) exert a pull on that portion. A cover 54 is hingedly mounted on the exterior surface of slide section 46 to permit periodic inspection of a taut portion of sliver 17 just before it passes to the nip rollers 52. The fitting 41 is preferably constructed of PVC and should possess identical characteristics discussed above with regard to the sliver feed tubes 31, 33, except that fitting 41 is preferably opaque. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a fitting may be eliminated entirely, provided that a lower portion of a sliver feed tube is bent at an obtuse angle with respect to a vertically-extending portion of the sliver feed tube. It is thus seen that this invention provides a novel plant structure for the ring spinning of textile fibers into yarns. It is seen that such plant structure maximizes efficiency with regard to space utilization and worker accessibility to machinery. As many variations will become apparent to those of skill in the art, such variations are embodied within the spirit and scope of this invention as measured by the following appended claims.

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 10 February 1995 (10.02.95); original claim 8 cancelled; original claims 1,2,4-7,9-13 amended; new claim 16 added; remaining claims unchanged (3 pages)] 1. In a ring spinning apparatus having means to receive sliver for the spinning thereof into yarn, the improvement comprising: a vertical sliver feed tube for feeding sliver to said ring spinning apparatus, said sliver originating from a sliver source disposed two floors above said ring spinning apparatus; a discrete fitting directly communicating with a lower end of said vertical sliver feed tube such that said sliver travels downwardly through said vertical sliver feed tube and then directly into and through said fitting before it is fed into said ring spinning apparatus. 2. In a ring spinning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vertical sliver feed tube is made from an extruded material. 3. In a ring spinning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said extruded material is PVC. 4. In a ring spinning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an inside of said vertical sliver feed tube is coated with an anti-static agent. 5. In a ring spinning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vertical sliver feed tube is unobstructed at all points inside its core and at both its ends. 6. A discrete fitting adapted for engagement with a lower end of a sliver feed tube, comprising: an inlet section directly communicating with said lower end; a brake section extending vertically downwardly from said inlet section, said brake section including a brake to temporarily halt descent of a portion of sliver through said sliver feed tube without blocking said sliver feed tube; and a slide section extending at an obtuse angle to said brake section. 7. The discrete fitting according to claim 6 wherein said discrete fitting is constructed of PVC. 9. The discrete fitting according to claim 6 further comprising a cover mounted on an exterior surface of said slide section to permit periodic inspection of a taut portion of said sliver just before it is fed into a ring spinning apparatus. 10. A plant structure for the treatment of textile fibers to form such fibers as yarn, comprising: a building structure having first, second and third floors therein; first and second ring spinning apparatuses located adjacent one another on said first floor; a first vertical sliver feed tube on said second floor for directing sliver from a can located on said second floor to said first ring spinning apparatus; and a second vertical sliver feed tube extending from said third floor to said second ring spinning apparatus for directing sliver from a can located on said third floor to said second ring spinning apparatus; each of said vertical sliver feed tubes having a lower end and a discrete fitting directly communicating with each of said lower ends such that said sliver travels downwardly through said sliver feed tubes and then through said discrete fittings before it is fed into each of said ring spinning apparatuses. 11. A plant structure for the treatment of textile fibers according to claim 10 wherein said first and second vertical sliver feed tubes are unobstructed at all points inside their cores and at all their respective ends. 12. A plant structure for the treatment of textile fibers according to claim 10 wherein an inside of said first and second vertical sliver feed tubes are coated with an anti¬ static agent. 13. A plant structure for the treatment of textile fibers according to claim 10 wherein said first and second vertical sliver feed tubes are made from an extruded material. 14. A plant structure for the treatment of textile fibers according to claim 13 wherein said extruded material is PVC. 15. A process for conditioning textile fibers comprising the steps of : providing a structure having first, second and third levels; providing on the second and third levels sliver cans having coiled sliver therein; providing on said first level ring spinning apparatuses; feeding said sliver from said second and third levels to said ring spinning apparatuses on said first level; conditioning said sliver by providing optimum temperature and humidity conditions on said second and third levels; and providing on said first level an optimum temperature and humidity environment for spinning sliver into yarn. 16. In a ring spinning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said discrete fitting is coaxial with said vertical sliver feed tube. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 The Examiner has taken the position that when U.S. Patent No. 3,469,385 to Tsuzuki (hereinafter "Tsuzuki ( λ 385) ") is taken alone, the invention defined by claims 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11 cannot be considered to involve an inventive step. Applicant has amended claims 1 and 10 to recite: (1) a vertical sliver feed tube, in conformity with the specification at FIG. 1 and at page 3, lines 10-14, and (2) that the fitting is discrete, meaning that it is a part which is separate and distinct from the vertical sliver feed tube, in conformity with the specification at page 7, lines 10-12 (discussing press fit relation between fitting and sliver feed tube) . These amendments collectively further distinguish claims 1 and 10 over Tsuzuki ( λ 385) , since they respectively recite the shape of Applicant's tube-fitting assembly with greater particularity and emphasize that a sliver feed tube and its associated fitting are two separate parts . There is no teaching in Tsuzuki ( v 385) that the obtuse angled end portion of either of the tubes 4 (Fig. 1) constitutes a fitting. Moreover, even were this assertion to be true, there is no teaching as to whether any such fitting would be integral with or separate from the sliver tube 4. Even further assuming that Figure 1 of Tsuzuki ( λ 385) discloses a separate fitting at the end of the sliver tube 4, it does not show a fitting directly communicating with the lower end of a vertical portion of that tube; rather, any such fitting would be in communication with the unlabeled bow-shaped portion of the tube. That distinction is further emphasized by newly-added claim 16, which requires that a portion of the fitting be coaxial with the vertical sliver feed tube. Claim 6 has been rewritten in independent form to recite the fitting and its primary components. Tsuzuki ( λ 385) excludes several limitations of this claim. First, newly-amended claim 6 recites a discrete fitting which, for the reasons discussed above regarding claims 1 & 10, is lacking in Tsuzuki ( λ 385) . Second, newly-amended claim 6 now requires that the brake section: (1) extend vertically downwardly from the inlet section (see spec, at FIG. 1 & at p.7, lines 12-13) , and (2) include a brake to temporarily halt the descent of the sliver through the sliver feed tube. In conjunction with the other limitations recited in newly-amended claim 6, these limitations fix the position of the brake below the lower end of the sliver feed tube and in the fitting itself. Thus, the brake does not obstruct the sliver feed tube. Tsuzuki ('385) fails to position the disclosed regulating plates 21 below the lower end of the tube 4; rather, the plates 21, like the moisture regulating device 12, are positioned "in an intermediate portion of the feed pipe 4 . . ." (2:39-40 & Fig. 1) (emphasis added) . Accordingly, Applicant respectfully submits that the claims in the present application are patentable.

Inventors: TSUZUKI KIYOHIRO, TSUZUKI, KIYOHIRO
Applicants: TNS MILLS INC, TNS MILLS, INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: D01H13
IPC codes: D01H5